Here is an interesting discussion on models, explanation and prediction: (Thanks to Jack Vromen for the pointer.)
- EPSTEIN, Joshua M. (2008 ) “Why Model?”, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation vol. 11, no. 4 12 <http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/11/4/12.html>
- THOMPSON, N. S. and DERR, P. G. (2009) “Contra Epstein, good explanations predict”, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation vol. 12, no. 1 9 <http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/12/1/9.html>
- Troitzsch, Klaus G. (2009) “Not All Explanations Predict Satisfactorily, and Not All Good Predictions Explain”, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation vol. 12, no. 1 10 <http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/12/1/10.html>